LilBeaver

This IS a 'problem' with the 2nd gens too. I typically try not to go above the 1/2 mark - but I also measure the oil as I fill it up during a change (unless I am on the road). Based on your pictures, so long as your rear shock is okay (not covered in oil and whatnot) and your admission that your first fill was over-done and this last fill is over 1/2 way it is my suspicion that you have been 'leaking' this for a while (hence the gunky/grimy build up on the hose). You will have some clean up work to do around the airboxes and stuff too, but I suppose that is part of the 'learning curve', eh?

It was a full blown truck stop (facility for maintenance, etc). Thinking about it more carefully, I did say 'local' but with the way I travel it is likely that it was just one of my standard stops that I spotted it and picked it up. I couldn't tell you what 'line' of truck stops it was. Around here (and along I-40) there seem to be quite a few 'love's' truck stops, it may have been one of those. I really do not recall, it was a while ago... Sorry. Hijack Over, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Here is a comparison between the two. Note my extra light-bar under the trunk. Easy mounting between the helmet locks, NO extra drilling required. A grand total of ~$15 bucks at the local truck stop plus $1.00 in bolts, nuts and lock-washers.

Seems to me like you answered your own question. The shop foreman said they "weren't allowed to" meaning that someone in the shop has decided that they do not want to deal with anyone that doesn't buy from them. That is THEIR choice as a business so I will say 'TRUTH' to the question, as you went away with a tire NOT mounted/balanced. Sure, you could probably argue and maybe get them to do it for you, but quite frankly, I just assume find a different place that is happy to exchange their service for your money. I ran a body shop for a while and we got to the point that we would not paint certain aftermarket parts that folks ordered from a specific source; our reason was that it was our experience that regardless of how we prepped the parts, the paint would chip and peel within a few weeks of the job being done. Sometimes it would even happen within HOURS of the paint job. Now we wouldn't just tell people 'no go away', we would be completely upfront honest with the folks about WHY we weren't going to paint their parts. At first we ended up doing some and have the customer sign paperwork that they accept that since they provided the parts we will not provide them with the typical paint warranty and when the paint starts to peel there will be no reparations, etc etc. But it never failed, in a few weeks when the parts started to peel they would come back in and IRATE over the 'crappy' paint work and we just got tired of it and the frivolous law suits (that we righteously won every single one, by the way) and I can only imagine that the folks driving around with paint falling off their parts were quick to blame the paint shop instead of admitting that they went with some cheap, unreliable aftermarket source. I guess I do not fully understand your confusion at the shops refusal to mount your tire. Now if they were to claim that they were not 'legally' allowed to, that would be a completely different story as THAT would be b.s. Hope this provides some perspective. Now, whether I agree with the shop or not - is 1) irrelevant and 2) really cannot be determined without knowing WHY the shop won't mount the tire.

Hey this is awesome!! If I end up finding that I can make it I'll definitely be in for some parts...

First of all, thank you KiteSquid for taking care of this up to this point, what a terrific idea!! There are three copies of Ride Like a Pro (RLAP) IV or V DVD's that are free for anybody who wants it for FREE so long as they agree to: 1) NOT copy it and 2) Pass it along for FREE to the next person after a short viewing session ie. 1-2 weeks. The sender pays the postage, NOT the recipient, so no money changes hands -- this ought to keep it legal NOTE: By requesting to be added to the list you are agreeing to the above simple rules. If you have a problem with this please do not request to be put on the list. To request to be added or removed to/from the list: Simply post in this thread that you would like to be added or removed and I will take care of it upon my next visit to the thread. Please DO NOT PM me as you will only be put on the list if you post to this thread. If you have requested to be added and you were not: Please forgive my mistake and simply let me know and I will add you to the list in the order of which the requests were put in. One of kitesquid's initial requests were to post something you learned from the video; let's try to keep doing that Some of Kitesquid's original text: "... I am not connected with RLAP, I just want my fellow bikers to have a long and healthy life on two wheels and anyway that we all can learn to ride safely is a good thing!!!!!! By the way, if you are tired of waiting, or would like to purchase your own copy please click HERE to order and be sure to ask for your Venture Rider Forum member discount. IIRC it saves you $5. BTW this DVD is worth every penny!!!!!!!..." The List: People who originally, freely gave away their copy of RLAP IV or V (Thanks a lot you guys!!): KiteSquid, Friesman1, jburrell :clap2: Currently HAS a copy: Bubber Sent to ???? ~ 6 months ago -- --- I think this one has a path of: Bubber -> Jmorrison -> Burgymon JMorrison ** Going to BurgyMon indianriverjack -- Belpre OH ** Contacting 1sttenor & Condor***** This one has the path: Lilbeaver -> VegasVic -> TimGray? --> Kregerdoodle -> Reed --> Indianriverjack --> 1sttenor or Condor Canada camos – Saanichton, BC Semi-Retired - St. Catherines, Ontario Mover - Stratford, Ontario Ottawa () - Ottawa, Ontario Trader - North of Kingston, Ontario Australia United States krome rose ** Reported as no response BurgyMon ** Confirmation/Will Receive indianriverjack -- Belpre OH ** Contacting 1sttenor & Condor 1sttenor in Jeff City MO Condor in Carmichael Ca fixit3546 in Mechanicsburg (Bentonia) MS RandyR in Dahlonega GA GaThumper in Cleveland GA Blackjack in Snellville GA Black Owl in Apple Valley MN eusa1 in Dixon IL Larry M – Pullman WA MidlifeVenture – Twinsburg, OH 67mini67 – Cheney, WA [Jemorrisonjr – New Berlin, WI --- REMOVE FROM LIST LIST, Has already seen/Possibly still has a copy] Joer – Hudson Oaks, TX Hunter_1500 – Ferrisburgh, VT Little Bob – Steven’s Point, WI camos – Saanichton, BC Motorcycle Mike – Lawrenceville, GA midnite – Mc Kenzie, TN Donde - Rockport, TX nbowersock - North Ft. Worth, TX Travelin Man (formerly: Crazy_Frog) - McRae, GA SylWoody - Talladega, AL Gdlover - Newton, IA Dave3 - Fayetteville, GA Slick97spirit (Ken) - Jackson, MO Semi-Retired (Mike) - St. Catherines, Ontario TopV (Joe) - Fall River, MA Mover - Stratford, Ontario ronhenry4 (Ron) - Cincinnati, OH Scooter45 (Jim) - Redwood Falls, MN Nemo (Owen) - Council Bluffs, IA The Black Pearl () - Traverse City, MI Short-haul () - River Oaks, TX T hole () - North Liberty, IA Ottawa () - Ottawa, Ontario in flagrante () - Rocket City, AL ccpeso () - South Lyon, MI rjalamo/1JoeRanger () - Destin, FL Alybyzee () - Manahawkin, NJ For the efficient passage of the video how please do the following: 1) Upon receipt of the video, post that you have received it. 2) Initiate communication with the next person on the list (which ought to be included with the video and I will do my best to keep the list updated on here too) **Maybe contact the next 2 or 3 at a time, with the understanding that the list order will be maintained, just in case the first one does not respond 3) Communication with the next person on the list ought to be done via e-mail, PM or telephone call (based on whatever you are comfortable with and what is available in the person's profile). 4) Let us allow 1 week for the person next on the list to respond (which is why initiating the communication immediately would be advised). 5) If no response, move to the next person on the list. 6) When a response is confirmed, post the results so we know where they are at. 7) After viewing the video, post something you learned from it (as per KiteSquid's request), and post when sent to the next person. MOST IMPORTANTLY: 8) Ride safe **** Sample message to next person ****: Howdy: I have received a copy of "Ride Like a Pro" and you are the next on the list to receive it. (According to the list on: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24973&page=22 ) Please respond as to whether you are still interested in viewing the video or not. I will wait one week before I contact the next person on the list. If someone else commits to it before you do (after the 1 week time has expired) then you will not lose your place on the list, but may not get the video from me ~depending on whether I still have it or not. Just post in the thread (linked to above) that you would still like to view it and you can be next in line to get a copy. If you do want it, send me the address that you would like it sent to and I will send it first class mail after I am finished with it. Thanks a lot, - YOUR NAME HERE ****END sample message**** Thanks ya'll

Okay folks, for the last couple of months I have been swamped with work/travel (mostly for work) so I started slacking off on my attempts to locate these videos and keep them moving. But to be quite honest with ya'll, un-answered PMs, e-mails and phone calls weren't helping either. For those of you that got back to me with the information you did have, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, as for the rest of you that I contacted - I am rather disappointed that you could not take the time to send me a quick note back. Regardless, out of respect for the folks that have been on this list for a ridiculously long time, patiently waiting to view and pass on as agreed by requesting to be on this list, I would appreciate if whoever currently has copies of these would do the following: 1) First and foremost - POST TO THE ORIGINAL THREAD (HERE... CLICK ME CLICK ME!) indicating that you have a copy of the video and when you will be passing it on. 2) Look at the list and figure out if it is accurate as to where you are on it - if not, then in the post that you make for #1, indicate how it ought to be changed (that is either: (a) You have seen the video and passed it on (note who you passed it to as well), (b) you HAVE a copy of the video, © have been contacted by the previous viewer and will receive it). 3) Please be considerate and follow these simple guidelines to be fair to everyone else. What I really hope is that the videos have been making their rounds according to the order listed on the original thread and that folks have just not been updating that they have it and have sent it to **whomever you sent it to**, and that we are making our way through it - but don't worry, I'm not holding my breath on that one. Thanks for your time - thank yous ESPECIALLY to those of you that donated your copy of the video for everyone to learn from :happy65: So again, c'mon folks - lets get these moving again.

I took over maintaining that list and kept it up for a while. Very sadly, we seem to have lost track of the 4-6 DVDs that were going around. I contacted the folks that I had on record as having the DVDs and I followed up with the folks that they said they passed them on to and eventually I ended with a bunch of either no responses or folks claiming they passed it on but had no idea who they passed it on to. I have since requested a few times on the general forum that whoever has them please come forward so that we know where they are but no one said anything. It is a real shame too as the generous folks who passed their own personal copy along have basically lost it for good. I will put another post out to see if we can locate the copies that we have floating around here, but I would not anticipate any immediate response. To answer the original question, just go with the latest Ride Like A Pro DVD. You DO NOT need to watch them in order (for example you can watch number 4 without seeing 1, 2 or 3). The man that does the videos has basically repeated the basic instruction in each subsequent video but in the newer versions has added tips, tricks, hints, techniques, camera views, instructions, etc. So just go with the latest version and you will be all set. You are guaranteed to learn at least ONE thing from this video and I am sure that it will be much more than that. I don't care how good of a rider you think you are, there will be something in there that you will learn. Not to mention you bike will be that much more enjoyable to ride.

EBC Organic: Front: FA 179 (Need two sets, obviously) Rear: FA 123

If I get my act together sometime in the next couple of months this is the way I will go. Either on a trunk rack, put a hitch on and mount it on the behind or just put it in place of the passenger seat like 'scooterbob's' (I think) setup...

Please report here what you find, I am curious too! Thanks )

I guess you have never hit a severe headwind on your venture. The shortest distance I have ridden (on a trip) that I have gone from full to reserve was about 60 miles. I was in southern Oklahoma and was pushing against 40-60 mph winds the whole way. Yee-haw. Don't forgot Montana and Wyoming...

Correction, here is the source of the error:

The big flaw here is you are relying on the e-bay sellers to categorize/post their items PROPERLY, which in my experience is hardly ever the case. Heck, some of the folks at the parts counter at my local Yamaha dealer doesn't even know what the venture is or what comes on it. One guy told me that it was fuel injected, another guy literally argued with me about it having a radio and CB (solved by walking over to the RSV on the floor and turning the radio ON). Of course that was followed with the statement that the radio was clearly after-market. Have fun, good luck!! by the way if those shots were taken in your garage, I am enormously jealous.

Ruffy is correct. Likely found on a yamaha site under OEM parts while accessing the 'parts fiche'. There is a stamp on your frame that gives you the specific alphabet soup. I believe it is located on the left (clutch) side of the bike on the frame piece that is exposed when you remove the driver seat, or possibly behind the left metal cover that covers the fuse box. It has been a while since I have checked mine, but the instruction manual actually specifies where to find this on your particular bike. Bottom line is that the 1999-2011 Royal Star Ventures are almost identical except for the color options. Small changes included the seat on the 2001 model (went to the pillow top), the antenna mounts (changed out in 2000), mounts for the trunk (changed in 2000 I believe, maybe the later 99 models), and in 2004 there was a 'vent' hose added to the rear shock. There are a handful of bolts that also have changed through the years (going between torx heads, allen/hex heads to something else). But overall the important parts are all the same. Additionally, the 2005-2009? Royal Star Tour deluxe is basically the Venture with a smaller fuel tank, no front fairing and no trunk. The rear fender is slightly different as it is setup for the mounts for the rear seat/backrest combination and obviously no trunk. Overall though as long as you look up parts for your 2009 'royal star venture' there is really no difference between the different 'alphabet models' except for the California one having the additional 'fuel fume recovery' canister-- or whatever it is called. of course the Non U.S. bikes have a metric speedo instead of our 'English' units. Oddly enough, there is some price variation on some parts throughout the years (most notably on the rear shock) so it is sometimes advantageous to shop +/- a few years on your bike model. Great looking scoot, by the way. That color combo is really growing on me... Although I would be a little hard-pressed to get rid of my green one - since, after all, they ARE the best looking (and fastest). :witch_brew::stickpoke: Hope this helps.

Yeah, no kidding. I just bought a replacement fuel filter and it cost me almost as much as your subtotal...

:sign yeah that::sign yeah that:

Fair enough. I have no problem with agreeing to disagree. I maintain my opinion that as the situation unfolds it is [again my opinion] advantageous for the bike to be in one piece while this gets ironed out instead of many pieces as it would be much easier to come get the bike and dump that particular dealer, if it came down to it. No way I would want a honked off mechanic rebuilding my engine that is almost out of warranty. BUT, as you stated, the initial agreement (and my interpretation of Dave's initial post) was that they would get started then worry about the warranty B.S. Anyhoo hopefully Yamaha will do you right Dave.

Actually, I disagree with this - it may be to your advantage that they have not actually taken it apart yet as it makes it real easy for you to just pick it up IN ONE PIECE and only have to fight any 'storage fees' they may try to impose - just in case you decide you want to try with a different dealer. While, I might be a little miffed that after all of this time they have not actually started anything, but I can see from the dealer standpoint (IF for some goofy reason yamaha does not want to honor the warranty) of not wanting to have to figure out what to do with a bike that is in pieces sitting around their shop. Definitely, I would go direct to the regional rep or Yamaha USA for this though; skip the dealer and go straight to the source. ------------------- Don't forget about the FTC - this is what the consumer protection division is all about. Potentially helpful reading: ---> http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt192.shtm General law information: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus01-businesspersons-guide-federal-warranty-law

I just checked this on PartShark and if one goes to 'cowling 1' for a 2005 XVZ13CTTC (RSTD) and orders the appropriate amount of everything listed there the totals come out as: Retail: $3,238.54 Part Shark's Price: $2,162.38 Not including shipping and tax. ---- With that said, for $3k, I would go buy a new windshield kit and for a few extra $$$, have a motorcycle come with it. OR, for ~$100 get an aftermarket windshield setup.

I too have been having quite a few problems lately. It seems that about half of the time I try to navigate anywhere on the site, I 'time out'. Posting takes anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes IF it does not time out first. I have tested this from multiple computers at my home [slow connection] as well as from my office [where we have a 1 Gb/s connection to the web (NOT just our network). My Physics department is an integral part of the efforts at CERN so our connection is about as fast as they come...

http://www.smiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-popcorn.gifhttp://www.smiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-popcorn.gif Oh wait, I'm driving....

Guess you just weren't quick enough ... I think I left them up for a week or so.

Just a few thoughts.. Fabricating ANYTHING [other than a maintenance log that is created to the best of your memory] could get you in trouble pretty quick. That is, if this went to court and you had fabricated receipts of some sort it would be case closed in no time since you would have falsified evidence and proven that you are dishonest, you would leave little choice for the court system. Lawyering up to contact Yamaha or contacting Yamaha yourself to ask the specific question of what is required by the owner to provide to the dealership to get warranty work done, then get it in WRITING, in my opinion would probably be your best avenue to go down for a speedy resolution as provided you have whatever it is that Yamahaha says they require it would likey not leave the dealer with a leg to stand on. In addition, going straight to Yamaha and going back to the with an official written statement by yamaha (even if it is an e-mail or fax) would show them immediately that you aren't going to play these games with the dealer and hopefully that would be enough to get things back on track. It is my opinion that you keep the name of the dealer to your self as the last thing you want is to have to deal with a ticked off dealer that is going to be responsible for putting your bike back together a few months away from the end of your warranty. Not to mention possible charges of intimidation, etc etc. Best of luck to you. I sure hope that this is resolved rather quickly and painlessly for you - even though at this point it looks like that may be a long shot in itself... :080402gudl_prv:

Are you sure you want to go there instead of 'is it safe to run a car tire'? or how about the 2012 star lineup? :witch_brew: